( BrE also pro·fes·sion·al·ise ) / prəˈfeʃənəlaɪz; NAmE / verb
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] to make an activity more professional, for example by paying people who take part in it
► pro·fes·sion·al·iza·tion , pro·fes·sion·al·isa·tion / prəˌfeʃənəlaɪzˈeɪʃn; NAmE / noun [ U ]:
the increasing professionalization of sports